The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2018 Original Medicare cost share and premium amounts on November 10, 2017. The CMS announcement seemed a bit confusing to our staff, so we’ve tried to simplify the information for you. Below you will find some of the key changes that will be affecting Medicare beneficiaries.
70 percent of Medicare enrollees currently pay lower monthly Part B premiums due to the “hold harmless” provision, which prevents Medicare premiums rising more than the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). With the COLA increasing 2 percent for 2018, those individuals may see their monthly cost rise as much as $25 to $134, compared to the 2017 average of $109.
The Part B premiums will have no change from 2017 to 2018 for all individuals who are currently paying the full amount.
2018 Medicare Part B premiums
| Beneficiaries who file an individual tax return with income: | Beneficiaries who file a joint tax return with income: | Income-related monthly adjustment amount | Total monthly premium amount |
| Less than or equal to $85,000 | Less than or equal to $170,000 | $0.00 | $134.00 |
| Greater than $85,000 and less than or equal to $107,000 | Greater than $170,000 and less than or equal to $214,000 | $53.50 | $187.50 |
| Greater than $107,000 and less than or equal to $133,500 | Greater than $214,000 and less than or equal to $267,000 | $133.90 | $267.90 |
| Greater than $133,500 and less than or equal to $160,000 | Greater than $267,000 and less than or equal to $320,000 | $214.30 | $348.30 |
| Greater than $160,000 | Greater than $320,000 | $294.60 | $428.60 |
Here are several other key changes happening for 2018:
Part A – Medicare Hospital Coverage
| 2018 | Change from 2017 | |
| Part A Deductible* | $1,340 | $24 Increase |
| Part A Coinsurance: *Inpatient Hospital Care (Days 61 thru 90) |
$335 per day | $6 Increase per day |
| Lifetime Reserve Coinsurance: *Inpatient Hospital Care (Days 91 thru 150) |
$670 per day | $12 Increase per day |
| Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance: * (Days 21 thru 100) |
$167.50 per day | $3 Increase per day |
| * Per benefit period (A benefit period begins on the first day you receive service as an inpatient in a hospital, and ends after you have been out of the hospital and have not received skilled care in any other facility for 60 days in a row.) | ||
Part B – Medicare Medical Coverage
| 2018 | Change from 2017 | |
| Part B Annual Deductible | $183 | $0 Increase |
Medicare Supplement Plan Deductible and Out-of-Pocket limits
| 2018 | Change from 2017 | |
| High Deductible Plan F Annual Deductible (High Deductible Plan in WI) | $2,240 | $40 Increase |
| Plan K Annual Out-of-Pocket Limit (50% Cost Share Plan in WI) | $5,240 | $120 Increase |
| Plan L Annual Out-of-Pocket Limit (25% Cost Share Plan in WI) | $2,620 | $60 Increase |
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